The St Louis-based company has lured Blyth away from the fast food giant after he spent nearly 30 years there, most recently as vice president of corporate comms.

Australian-born Blyth will be based in FM's Dallas office and will be giving advice to high-level clients and working on the company's client strategy. FM president and CEO Dave Senay said: 'In the course of helping to manage the McDonald's brand across 170 countries, his duties have included an integrated mix of everything from crisis communications to sponsorships to strategic marketing assignments.'

Blyth started at McDonald's as an advertising manager, before rising to head of reputation management and marketing in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa regions.